Sri Lanka Cricket offers 2026-27 national contracts, include Nuwan Thushara after NOC controversy

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced a list of 46 players who have been awarded national contracts for the upcoming 2026-27 season, running from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. These contracts are announced just a day before the start of Sri Lanka's all-format series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, beginning with a three-match ODI series. 

The list also includes Nuwan Thushara, who was involved in a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) controversy with his country's cricketing body ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League. Thushara was due to represent the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but was denied an NOC after failing to reach SLC's fitness standards. The 31-year-old had filed a lawsuit against the cricket board, only for him to withdraw it in April.

After being offered a national contract, the relationship between the player and the board seems to be heading in the right direction.

Amongst the list of 46 players, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundera, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, and Tharindu Rathnayake are the ones to have received the national contract for the first time in their respective careers. 

SLC have divided each nationally contracted player into six categories - A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and Central Contract. The governing body, however, have not disclosed which player falls into which particular grade. The categorisation is based on a particular player's consistency, form, fitness and performance and on the requirements of the national team.

"Sri Lanka Cricket congratulates all contracted players and extends a special welcome to those receiving national contracts for the first time. The awarding of these contracts reflects SLC’s continued commitment to rewarding performance, nurturing emerging talent, and maintaining a strong pool of players capable of representing Sri Lanka across international formats of the game," read the official statement.

Sri Lanka Men's national contracted players

Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, Jeffrey Vandersay, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Mohammed Shiraz, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, Tharindu Rathnayake